2:The First Meet

47 3 4
                                    

"Aru! Aru!" I called out

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

"Aru! Aru!" I called out. Arya turned around, her expressions changed as she spotted me. She dashed over with that unmistakable glint in her eye that meant she was about to envelop me in one of her notorious hugs.

I braced myself as she wrapped her arms around me. Her enthusiasm was almost overwhelming. I quickly pulled away from her embrace. She's always so clingy, and I swear she turns it up a notch every time she sees me. I'm not a fan of physical touch, and she knows it all too well. Maybe that's why she insists on doing it.

I placed my hands on top of her head. The move was deliberate-I know she detests it. Her response was swift and forceful; she slapped my hand with surprising strength.

"Ouch, that stings," I said, rolling my eyes theatrically.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Emad standing by the door, his gaze fixed on us. There was a storm of emotions behind those eyes-jealousy, perhaps? But why would he be?

I turned to Arya with a mischievous grin. "Ooooo, someone's feeling a bit green-eyed," I teased.

Arya's confusion was palpable. I mentioned for her to look at Emad. The moment she did, she turned back to me and delivered another slap, this time to my arm.

"He's not jealous, and why would he be?" she snapped, irritation clear in her voice.

"How would I know? I'm just saying, I think he might have feelings for you," I replied with a smirk.

Arya chuckled dismissively. "Him? In love with me? That's a joke. He'll never love me," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"I bet deep down you wish he would, though. You can't fool me, Aru," I said, playfully pulling her chubby cheeks.

She swatted my hands away and marched towards the kitchen. I followed, unable to resist.

"Why are you trailing me?" she demanded, her irritation palpable.

I gasped in mock horror. "Oh, come on, bro! Why the attitude? What did I even do?"

"Seriously bro? You're asking me that? We've been friends since forever, and you still don't get what drives me up the wall?" she said, giving me an "I'm so done" look that could melt steel.

"She gets so worked up whenever I joke about Emad having feelings for her. It's a touchy subject because, while she's convinced he'll never love her, there's a part of her that secretly hopes he might. After all, she's had a crush on him since high school."

"I can't help it, bro. It's too much fun," I said with a grin.

"Then stop talking to me," she said, scooping ice cream into a bowl with exaggerated frustration.

"Okay, I'm sorry; I'll keep my mouth shut," I said, deploying my most pleading puppy face. I knew it worked like magic.

"Fine, but next time, think before you speak," she said, her tone softened but still firm.

The Eid ul-Fitr Where stories live. Discover now